Indian Navy Set to Conduct Crucial Submarine Trials in Spain for Project 75 India

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is set to conduct trials in Spain for its Project 75 India, aiming to procure six advanced submarines. This initiative, involving Spanish firm Navantia, marks a significant step in enhancing India's naval capabilities.  

Navantia Chairman Ricardo Dominguez Garcia-Baquero highlighted the Spanish government's keen interest in supporting the P75(I) project. The collaboration aims to ensure expeditious export clearances and comprehensive agreements with the Indian government, similar to the recent Airbus deal for C-295 transport aircraft.  

Testing Critical Equipment  

Field evaluation trials of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) by the Indian Navy are scheduled for the last week of June at Navantia's shipyard in Cartagena. Both Navantia and their partner, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), are prepared for these trials, and eager to demonstrate their advanced AIP technology.  

India seeks to acquire six conventional submarines with AIP systems, enabling extended underwater endurance compared to previous generations. Besides the L&T and Navantia collaboration, German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Mazagaon Dockyards Limited are also competing for the ₹60,000 crore project.  

Submarine Design and Technological Advancements  

Navantia has proposed its S80 submarine design, already in service with the Spanish Navy since 2023, for the Indian Navy project. The S80 design meets nearly all P75(I) technical requirements without needing redesigns, including its AIP system which generates over 300 kW of power.

The S80's design integrates modern features and technologies such as the third-generation BEST AIP (Bio-ethanol Stealth Technology) and an advanced sensor suite. Navantia and L&T have also partnered to provide proven lithium-ion battery technology for the project. Navantia is committed to fulfilling the Transfer of Technology and Indigenous Content requirements, aligning with India's goal of achieving self-reliance in submarine technology.  

Over the past few months, top-ranking Spanish officials have engaged with their Indian counterparts, reaffirming their commitment to the P75(I) project. Navantia has maintained a constant dialogue with Indian suppliers, sharing technical specifications to assess their capabilities. The partnership with L&T, known for its extensive indigenisation efforts in the defence sector, is expected to comfortably meet the Indigenous content requirements.  

Navantia Chairman praised L&T's work in submarines and other defence areas, emphasizing the strategic partnership's role in developing the Indian private sector for manufacturing major defence platforms and equipment. He noted that the collaboration with L&T could extend beyond submarines, opening new opportunities in defence manufacturing.  

The strategic partnership between Navantia and L&T aims to not only meet the industrial and Indian Navy's requirements but also to explore opportunities beyond submarine manufacturing. The collaboration underscores the mutual benefits of technological exchange and capacity building in defence manufacturing.  

Navantia's commitment to the project is evident in its proactive engagement with Indian suppliers and adherence to technical requirements. This partnership aligns with India's strategic goals of self-reliance and indigenisation in the defence sector.